GhazipurWala Obaid: Ghazipur ....A Buddhist Hub _

Ghazipur ....A Buddhist Hub __My new Book !

Through this book “ Ghazipur Mein Buddha Aur Boadh Sthal ” , I want to highlight the prominence of Ghazipur district as an important hub of Buddhism in the past.

Ghazipur is located at 25°35′N 83°34′E / 25.58°N 83.57°E / 25.58; 83.57. It has an average elevation of 62 metres (203 feet).The city of Ghazipur is located in the middleGangesvalley of North India, in the Eastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, along the left is bank of the Ganges river.The city nearly stretches parallel to the river Ganges. Its neighbouring cities are Varanasi, Jaunpur,Ballia, Mau, Chandauli and Azamgarh.

Ghazipur is situated 30 Kms east of Sarnath, Varanasi. Buddha Doe, after his first sermon at Sarnath stayed at Aunrihar (Buddhpur) in Ghazipur while moving to Gaya. He gave his sermon at Aunrihar where he preached for seven days.

“The Aurihar region of Ghazipur became the main centre of teachings of Lord Buddha. Many stupas and pillars are the main evidence of that period. Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang visited this area and has described this place as Chanchu "Kingdom of the Lord of battles."

Samrat Asoka also established monasteries at Aunrihar . Aunrihar also finds mention by Huen Tsang in his travels. Buddha Deo also stayed at other places of Ghazipur and preached there.

Ghazipur is situated besides River Ganges , Gomti ,Udawanti,Gaangi , On the both sides of above mentioned rivers, Samrat Asoka established Stupas, Sangha-raam,Chaityas, Vihars and Laat (Asokan pillar or monolith).

Ghazipur comprises a huge population of Buddhists and it still has many remains of past Buddhist buildings in Saidpur Bhitri,Jauharganj,Boadhi-pur,Masondih, Shadiyabad region , Zamaniya region especially Latiya,Mohammadabad area , Ghauspur,Ballia,Chausa,Shahaabad.

Although I am not a Buddhist, I have done research on all these hidden facts and compiled a book of around 110 pages titled “Ghazipur mein Buddha Deo aur Baudh sthal”. in Hindi. The ancient history of Ghazipur district has passed many ups and down. There are few authentic manuscripts and scriptures to understand the Buddhist history and culture of Ghazipur. But there are some literatures available in the form of memoirs, traditions and tales .

It includes facts, citing and references from over 100 books some of which was very rare. My unique research work brings forth the fact that Ghazipur district was an important centre of Buddhist activities during the times of Buddha Deo and Samrat Asoka.To the north-west of Saidpur are the extensive remains at Aurihar,which correspond with the monastery built by Ashoka. I read in the Mmoirs of India :

“In this Stupa there is a measure full of the relics of Buddha.Formerly,the Honorable of the Age (that is Sakya Muni )dwelt in this monastery,and there for seven days by favour of the gods explained the excellent law......

At the side of this monastery are the seats of the three past Buddhas and a place where they used to walk for exrcise and left their footprints.Very near here is a statue of Buddha."

In GHAZIPUR GAZETTEER,H.R.NEVILL (V.29 )writes :
"After the break up of the Mauryan empire in 184 B.C.the district was held by the Sungas of Patna and the Buddhists were persecuted if not wholly suppressed..........................it would seem that of the old Buddhist towns were deserted for new Hindu settlements,and this appears to be the case of Bhitri,which owed its rise and the errection of the famous pillar and the temple of Vishnu to Skand gupta in 406 A.D.The antiquities of Bhitri are described in the article on that place ,but the site still calls for further exploration."

In Ghazipur area, Ashoka erected his pillars [ Saidpur Bhitri &Latiya ] and two topes or stupas.

Latiya,zamania Asoka Pillar
About LATIYA pillar,A.Cunningham said in his "CORPUS INSCRIPTIONUM INDICARUM {vol. 1 } INSCRIPTIONS OF ASOKA" :
"The pillars errected by Asoka would appear to have been very numerous,but only a few of them are now know to exist,besides several fine capitals without their shafts.But only six of these pillars are inscribed.......... a second pillar,nearly complete ,with an eight -lion capital ,stands at LATIYA,fourteen miles to the south of GHAZIPUR ,but it is also without any inscription"

Saidpur Bhitri Asoka Pillar

If great english archeologists like Alexandar Cunningham, Wilton Oldham, A.C.Carlyle, Tragier, H.A.Shering, C.Horn, Dr.feuhrer had not excavated the ancient cultural centres, the public would be ignorant about the Buddhist monuments and cultures of Ghazipur district.

Its a great pleasure for us that on the recommendation of then Ghazipur District Magistrate ,Wilton Oldham,great Archeologist A.Cunningham came here and excavated the different places of Ghazipur District and i find his Archeological Survey Reports .... enormous growth growth in excavation and archeological activities.